What happened: Sheppard called discussing McNeill “almost emotional,” citing the gap between what the defensive tackle wanted to deliver last season and what he could physically do. [Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kelvin-sheppard-gets-emotional-talking-154000234.html)

Why it matters: A stronger interior presence would support the defense's 2026 plans, which already place McNeill in a central role.

What to watch: Watch whether McNeill's regular-season performance matches Sheppard's expectations.